by Sherrie H.
Member since:
January 22, 2007

The Letter Women Everywhere Dread Getting...

December 30, 2007 01:39 AM EST (Updated: December 30, 2007 01:52 AM EST)
views: 100 | comments: 32

Just need to talk to someone tonight and I don't want to call my mom or my sister or they will worry...

I had my annual mammogram a week ago. I've been nervous about thisfor  weeks, as my younger sister was diagnosed with an aggressiveform of  breast cancer about six months ago. Hers was the firstincidence in our  family. I was nervous because I've seen whatshe's gone through, and  because I have more risk factors than shedoes (I've never had  children, never nursed, am overweight andolder than she is) I couldn't  help but wonder if I was going tobe next. (They recommended she have a  mastectomy and when theyfound it had spread to her lymph nodes, both  radiation and chemo.After much research and several consultations, she  opted for alumpectomy and radiation. No chemo. We've all supported her decisions and hope she made the right choices. So far, so good.She's  49 years old.)

So, when I had my mammogram, thetechnician who  did the test indicated someone would call if therewas a need for more  tests or any kind of problem. If not, shesaid I would get a letter in  about a week. So when I got home andsaw there was a letter, I was  relieved. In fact, as I opened theletter from the health center  tonight, I said to my husband,"Good, I'm glad it came. Now I can set  my mind at ease."

Notto be. The letter says, "After reviewing  your recent screeningmammogram, it has been decided that further tests  are needed. Itis very important that you call the Radiology Department  toschedule the additional testing that may be neccessary..."

I'm trying not to get all worked up about what could be nothing, but Iam  scared.   And here it is, Saturday night of aholiday weekend, so I can't  even call them. Nothing to do butwait, wait, wait. And try not to  worry.

Please pray that I will be able to handle whatever lies ahead.

Thanks for listening.

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments: 32

JoAnn C. Dec 30, 2007, 1:50am EST
Sherri, you are in my thoughts.
Sherrie H. Dec 30, 2007, 1:52am EST
Thanks, JoAnn.
Braxton M. B. Dec 30, 2007, 1:57am EST
My wife and I were just reading your article together and we both are sending good thoughts a prayers your way.
Kathy W. Dec 30, 2007, 2:58am EST
Baby sister...I had the same "phone call" instead of a letter. They went in and removed a tiny little lump, made $3000 profit, and I was fine...no c-word. It kind of made me mad
and glad
Both emotions run through you some.
Please don't worry about this at all--unless and until they tell you to worry...just play the game, and ask LOTS of questions.

It is probably nothing.

Wilka
Marianne R. Dec 30, 2007, 9:25am EST
Sherrie, just hope for the best. Depending on the time in your cycle, all kinds of things can pop up on a mammogram that are not anything to worry about. Just be glad they are taking extra precautions and that if there is something, it was caught early. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Toni V. Dec 30, 2007, 10:07am EST
Sherrie, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Please remember, positive thoughts and attitude go a long way. My best friend had cancer so I know how frightened you must be. Deep breaths go a long way as well when it seems as if everything is closing in around you.
Amy D. Dec 30, 2007, 10:42am EST
Sherrie, I'll keep good thoughts and prayer that this is only a minor blurp in the reading and once they look at it again will realize it is nothing to be concerned about. Put it in God's hands.
Ruthe M. Dec 30, 2007, 10:49am EST
I will keep you in my prayers, Sherrie. Prayerfully is nothing major. Hopefully just an error with the testing. Just know that God does have it; and that's the best place it could be. I'm praying for you, your family, and your peace of mind.
Bridget M. Dec 30, 2007, 10:54am EST
Lots of prayers being sent your way, hoping it all turns out well.
karen p. Dec 30, 2007, 11:41am EST
will keep you in my prayers, Sherrie.
Martha D. Dec 30, 2007, 12:08pm EST
Be aware that God's still watching over you and can carry you through anything. My OB found a lump in my left breast during a regular annual exam this summer, and the first I was aware of anything, physically, was her question, "Has this lump been here long?" I'm young (32) but also placed in the risk category, having not had children. A mammogram and two breast tissue ultrasounds later, they determined that it was simply cystic breast tissue. And I just have to keep an eye on it. I've since become very familiar with my boobs, let me tell you.
And it also has given me perspective. I hope that things go as well for you. May God bless you and keep you peaceful until your questions are answered.
Trudy P. Dec 30, 2007, 12:43pm EST
I know how you feel, I got the exact same letter a few years ago!
I went in and it turned out to be nothing! I pray the same for you!!!!!
Bruce B. Dec 30, 2007, 4:51pm EST
My thoughts are with you Sherrie. Many years ago my wife had a similar experience and they ended up removing a benign cyst. No cancer whatsoever.
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Dec 30, 2007, 6:20pm EST
I went in to have a lump removed ( horror of horrors) when I was in my mid 40's and it was benign. Hang in there, sweetie.
Tanya P. Dec 30, 2007, 9:06pm EST
This would be a horrible wait for anyone. My prayers are added to those already being sent. I do know someone who received similar news, many years ago. She went for the tests and found that all was well. So good news is quite feasible and I pray that yours will be as simple and positive as hers were.
Heather W. Dec 30, 2007, 11:32pm EST
You will be in my prayers.
Erika S. Dec 30, 2007, 11:44pm EST
You'll be in my prayers, Sherrie.
Sue M. Dec 31, 2007, 9:13pm EST
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Sherrie!
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Jan 1, 2008, 10:16am EST
Hope you are doing OK today, Sherrie. I am wishing you a joyful and heathy 2008.
Martha D. Jan 1, 2008, 6:33pm EST
Just wanted to let you know I prayed for you today.
"The brave woman is not she who feels no fear, for that would be stupid and irrational; but she whose noble soul its fear subdues, and bravely dares the danger which it shrinks from." ~Joanna Baillie
Sherrie H. Jan 2, 2008, 12:15am EST
Thanks so much for your prayers. I spoke to someone in the radiation department yesterday and she said they didn't see a specific problem, but that the image of my left side was not altogether readable. It was not so bad that the initial technician thought it needed to be redone, but evidently when the radiologist saw it, he decided he wanted a better picture, as there is one area where there is a fold of skin or something that prevents him from seeing it as clearly as he would like.

I go back in on Friday to have the left side redone. A freebie, she called it. So I got the impression that he's just being thorough, and that there is no specific lump visible.

I will feel better when I have an all-clear sign, once he can see everything, but this was much better news that what I feared!

Thanks again -- I will keep everyone posted once I have the results of the mammogram redo.

Thanks again so much for keeping me in your thoughts!!!

Sherrie
Sherrie H. Jan 2, 2008, 12:28am EST
I wanted to mention one other thing... I originally posted this prayer request on Gather late at night, right before I went to bed. Two people responded within minutes, and I know I slept more peacefully, just knowing someone cared, and that someone was holding me up in their thoughts.

When I woke the next morning, I had been dreaming -- what I remember of the dream is that there were all kinds of people at my house. I was not expecting company -- but I wasn't flustered -- it was almost like a party, and everyone was laughing and chatting and offering to help. I felt such a profound sense of well-being -- a feeling that no matter what happened, I would be fine, because I am surrounded by so many people who love me and care about me. It felt amazing to me, that at the moment I thought I would feel the most stressed, that I felt such a sense of calm and peace. That's what being lifted up in your prayers did for me.

Which makes me wonder -- why do we so often hesitate to share our troubles or ask for prayer? I was raised to suck it up... you don't want to be a whiner, now do you? Hold it in, don't let them see anything is wrong? Carry on. Don't let on that anything is wrong...

This experience has really made me see that stoicisim can really cheat you of the blessings you receive when you are held up in prayer. It makes me feel wonderful when I have the opportunity to pray for someone else -- in a way, we cheat our Christian brothers and sisters when we deny them the priviledge of holding us up to the Lord.
necee t. Jan 2, 2008, 1:01am EST
Sherrie... you are in my thoughts and prayers...
Our God does not give us more than we can bear...
Believe me, i've been there...
Blessings to you always... keep in touch...
Kellie S. Jan 2, 2008, 2:30pm EST
Sherrie - I got the exact same letter last summer, got the same response from the tech, and went back for "further testing." Apparently whatever they could not see clearly did not want to be seen! It took four different people ultrasounding it to try to see whatever it was. While I was lying there waiting for yet the next person to give it a whirl, I started cracking jokes because, well, that's what I do. :) I figure if you can't laugh about something, it may kill you instead... we had people coming from the reception area to find out what was so funny. The next day, my husband and I baked cookies and took them to the radiology clinic.

Of course, I am fine. It was just something that they wanted to see more clearly.

A member of our church recently went through diagnosis, chemo and mastectomy. I hope I am just like her when I grow up. Monday was exactly three weeks after her mastectomy and she is her usual sweet, cheerful, optimistic self. Ask her what got her through it and she will tell you: prayer. Period.

You are on my prayer list, Sherrie and please let us all know how you are after you see the tech again!
Peter C. Frank Jan 5, 2008, 5:30pm EST
Sherrie, best of luck with this. I know what you're going through. When they found a lump in my breast after my accident I had to go in for a mammogram and they wanted additional testing as the results were, initially, inconclusive. Fortunately the lump was benign but that was 4-5 years ago and I was supposed to get it checked on every 2 years or so to make sure that it doesn't become malignant. But that waiting period between when the tests were inconclusive and when they could perform the additional tests ( a simple biopsy ) were really the most difficult part. Hang in there!
Sheila Deeth Jan 7, 2008, 11:53pm EST
Praying for you. They sent me for further tests, but all seems to be okay. Hope it works the same for you.
Margaret C. Jan 10, 2008, 6:26pm EST
I am sure you know by now that it is ok , I had this fright over 27 years ago ,I had lumps removed and they were non cancerous , Soplease don't worry , I am having tests at the moment for thickening of the skinonthe breast and the same old worry came back but it seems to be all clear this timetoo , God Is Good pleaselet us know how you get on xx
Elaine M. Jan 10, 2008, 9:09pm EST
I too had to go for further tests, and it is terrifying. With faith and prayer, it will not be anything serious. You have a lot of positive thoughts being sent your way.......
Sherrie H. Jan 10, 2008, 9:36pm EST
Thanks again for praying for me... I finally found out late this afternoon that all is well. The nurse called with the all clear and said no more tests until next year. I am very relieved. I really wouldn't have given it a second thought if it weren't for my sister. Her name is Becky, and if you are willing, please continue to pray that her cancer stays at bay and that she will enjoy many long, cancer-free years. Thanks again, Sherrie
Mark D. Jan 31, 2008, 7:30am EST
Glad to hear this great news after an unfortunate scare. You'd think that in cases like this they could be a little more informative in the first letter.

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